Oct. 31, 2014

For the week ending October 26, rain across the Panhandle and areas of eastern Nebraska slowed harvest according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures, which averaged 10 degrees above normal, aided crop drydown. Soybean harvest was nearing completion with much attention shifting to corn.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 3% very short, 26% short, 68% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 24% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Crop Condition

• Winter wheat conditions rated 1% poor, 18% fair, 74% good, and 7% excellent. Winter wheat emergence was at 94%, near last year's 91%, but ahead of the five-year average of 87%.
   
• Corn conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 18% fair, 51% good, and 24% excellent. Ninety-six percent of the crop was mature, equal to last year and the average. Corn harvest was 40% complete, behind 52% last year and the average of 59%. Nationally only 31% of the corn crop has been harvested, compared to 56% last year and the five-year average of 65%. The Iowa corn harvest was reported at 19% complete, compared to a five-year average of 65%. Minnesota was at 16%, compared to 63% on average.
   
• Soybean harvest was 87% complete, behind 92% last year, but near the average of 89%. Nationally, soybean harvest was 53% complete, behind last year at 75% and the five-year average of 76%. State's most below their five-year average were: Illinois (37%/63%); Indiana (31%/75%); Kansas (31%/70%); and Ohio (36%/73%).
   
• Sorghum conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 31% fair, 41% good, and 22% excellent. Sorghum harvest was 50% complete, behind 59% last year, but near the average of 52%.
   
• Dry bean harvest was 97% complete, equal to last year and near the 96% average.
   
• Alfalfa hay fourth cutting was 95% complete, near last year's 91% and the average of 96%.
   
• Proso millet harvest was 96% complete, ahead of 88% last year and the average of 89%.
   
• Pasture and range conditions rated 5% very poor, 7% poor, 32% fair, 48% good, and 8% excellent.
   

For a wider perspective, see the national USDA NASS report on harvest progress.